Reiki Effects on the State Test Anxiety Levels and Exam Success

Reiki, an energy-based practice based in Japanese culture, consists of the words "rei" meaning "Spirit" and "ki" meaning "universal life force" and means "spiritual directed life force energy". Reiki, accepted as a complementary and alternative therapy (CAM) by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, is a simple, natural and safe method that everyone can use; It is a holistic healing method that nourishes the body, mind and spirit. The principle of Reiki is based on the principle that in case of a blockage in an energy center, disease occurs and the energy transferred by touching it strengthens and heals the body's ability to heal itself by opening the blockages. Trained Reiki practitioners can perform the application by holding their hands in certain positions on the recipient's body, as well as remotely. It will also be important for Reiki to become widespread as a nursing practice in many countries, especially for nurse candidates to experience the effects of Reiki on reducing stress and anxiety. In the literature, it is emphasized that uncontrollable test anxiety can also affect the academic success of students. For this reason, it is thought that Reiki, whose effectiveness in coping with stress and anxiety has been demonstrated by various studies, may be effective in coping with exam anxiety of nursing students. A study investigating the effect of Reiki on reducing students' anxiety could not be found in the literature. In this context, it will be the first study to examine the effect of Reiki on reducing anxiety in nursing students.

This randomized controlled prospective study was conducted with first-year nursing students between 10-19 June 2022. The data of the study was collected using "Personal Information Form I-II (PIF)" and "State Test Anxiety Scale (STAS)" via online form. Also, the final exam notes were used for assessing the success of the students, the final exam averages were used.

PIF-I and STAS were applied to the students who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study between 10-13 June 2022. Patients were randomized 1:1 into groups by a single therapist according to the block randomization method. There were two arms in the study; Reiki treatment (n=36) and control group (n=35). A second or third-degree Reiki practitioner applied distant Reiki to the students for 20 minutes for four consecutive days (14-17 June 2022) in the Reiki treatment group. In the control group, nothing was done. At 19 June 2022, PIF- II and STAS were applied to all patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Not having a diagnosed current anxiety disorder or any psychiatric problem,
• Not having a current acute or chronic health problem,
• Willingness to participate in Reiki practice,
• Not having received body-mind therapy (yoga, reiki, meditation, etc.) in the last six months

Exclusion criteria

• Those who were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or a psychiatric illness during the data collection process and need treatment,
• Being Reiki practitioners or trainers,
• Those who refuse to answer the Reiki application and data collection tools,
• Those who want to leave the research while the research is continuing,
• Those who had previously received energy therapies such as Reiki/therapeutic ouch/healing touch and those who used other complementary health practices were not included in the study.